Denny Hamlin captured his 63rd career NASCAR Cup Series win at the FireKeepers Casino 400 held at Michigan International Speedway, tying Kyle Busch on the sport’s all‑time victories list.
A Tribute That Resonates
The victory came on a night when Hamlin paid homage to his longtime teammate, who died suddenly on May 21, by flying a black ‘18’ flag and performing a Polish Victory Lap in Busch’s honor.
Hamlin and Busch had been the longest‑tenured teammates in NASCAR history, sharing the No. 18 ride for more than a decade before Busch’s untimely passing.
With a year and a half remaining on his final full‑time contract, Hamlin now stands ninth on the all‑time wins chart, just behind Dale Earnhardt’s 76 victories, and is widely expected to earn a first‑ballot induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
The win also spotlights the future of the iconic No. 8 car, which Richard Childress has earmarked for Brexton Busch, Kyle’s younger brother, as the team looks to preserve the Busch legacy.
Series veteran Austin Hill will take the wheel of the No. 33 entry for the remainder of the season, while Joseph Wolkin continues to serve as crew chief.